chipping away at Mt. Walmart

[CitySky]

People within my circle of friends still shop at WM. Mostly I am talking about people without a lot of money who go there b/c they think they can stretch a dollar.

But I feel like I'm STARTING to score a few points on the consciousness-raising efforts. Two times this week:

Tuesday I was serving a yummy CostCo food item to a friend who dropped by my house for dinner -- and this one is even a Republican! -- I said it came from CostCo. She's something of a foodie and was aware of CostCo quality... so I was able to slip in there, "yes, their quality is better and they treat their workers better too."

Republican friend: "huh?"

Me: "Oh yes. Sam's club is a part of Wal-Mart, and you know 1/3 of WalMart's workers live below the poverty line..."

RF: "I didn't know that..."

CA-CHING! Changed topic, before "here she goes again with the politics" filters go up.

Then Thursday, my boyfriend (yes, even him! at least he votes for Democrats) was defending himself for buying "cheap food" at WM. I protested that because most WM employees lack adequate health insurance and that when they're sick they end up at the county hospital, which we pay for via taxes, it's not really "cheap" after all. He's in the medical field so THIS struck home with him. CHING! I try not to do this stuff often enough to become a nag, but I think it helps to have the facts handy. Even my roommates shop at WM sometimes. I hate it, but it's going to be just a little chip at a time, i think, to change people's thinking and then their habits.

And, I've promised the BF that I'll pick up a couple of his fave CostCo items for him, on my next run. :)

[Lorien]

1. Good going! it's not easy getting people

to vote with their wallet-even Dems (if it were, this forum would be hopping). My mom didn't care about the workers rights issues (she's a fundie), but when I told her that Wal-Mart execs-all male, of course-hold their meetings in strip clubs (there was an article about it two years ago) that stopped her cold! She hasn't shopped in a Wal-Mart since. :-)

[NMDemDist2]

2. WM supports the Chinese who mandate forced abortion, that "should" stop

fundies in their tracks you'd think!

[Lorien]

11. Since she's a Christian missionary who teaches in China

and hosts Chinese students here in the US, I'll need to bring up that point as well!

[NMDemDist2]

12. that argument is the one I've had the most luck with when trying to

educate fundies

check out the PBS show "Is Walmart good for America" you'll get lots of ammo there (I think it was a "Frontline" show)

[CitySky]

9. oooh, good one

This just might work with the roommate. We're part of the Christian LEFT. ;)

[amazona]

3. no Costco here

Have to admit I still must shop at the Wall. No real suggestions because honestly if you have a tiny income you really do have no choice in my area.


She didn't know Sam's Club was part of WalMart? Sheesh, that IS clueless indeed.

The conservation movement is a breeding ground of communists
and other subversives. We intend to clean them out,
even if it means rounding up every birdwatcher in the country.
--John Mitchell, US Attorney General 1969-72

[mcscajun]

4. I like your method…feed 'em little facts, one at a time.

Seems such a better way that overloading them with the entire anti-Wal-Mart screed in one lump. That much truth Can be hard to digest.

[wildeyed]

5. You know what I love?

Going to Costco and seeing the sports utility with the W '04 sticker in the back window. Keep shoppin'!

I talk up Costco to my apolitical friends, mostly on the quality of the items I purchase there. They know I like nice stuff and nice food in particular, so they listen to that advice, whereas they really filter my political talk.

[chaska]

6. Out here in California we have the 99 cents store chain (and variations).

Much, much cheaper.

Actually, walmarts not that cheap compared to others. I go there a lot on the weekends to get some exercise. Odd but true. It's the only place to walk after dark.

[fudge stripe cookays]

7. Be careful.

Some of those 99 Cent store chains are red.

Kind of insidious, huh? They support the asshole who can fill their pockets. Because the worse the economy gets, the more people NEED to shop at 99 cent stores.

FSC

[wildeyed]

8. Also, allot of the stuff sold at dollar stores is not all that safe.

I read that something like 35% of all toys sold in those places do not meet safety standards.

[Deep13]

10. Wallyworld dumps Cleveland

The City of Cleveland is trying to develope some abandoned industrial space (brown field) into retail. One of the anchors was supposed to be a regular Walmart with no grocer. They said they had no plans to have a grocer there. Anyway, a lot of the grocery stores around there are union operated and owned by local companies. The city council made an ordinance to protect them by putting a zoning restriction on the development site against grocey retailing until 2018. Sprawlmart pulled out of the deal in response. Apparently they think they can punish the city for trying using its constitutional authority to restrict the mighty Wallyworld.

[TommyO]

13. I wonder if

W*Mart had ulterior motives there? Build a regular store, and then expand it to a Supercenter later to break into the grocery market, pushing some of the unionized grocery stores out. I wouldn't put it past the bastards, they did it at my local W*Mart.

[Deep13]

15. That is exactly ...

... what the city council was afraid of. Of course Cleveland's idiot mayor is still trying to kiss Sprawlmart's ass.

[Warpy]

14. Congratulations! You've discovered the secret.

Chip away at their wall of right wing beliefs with one fact at a time, and don't harangue.

It works a lot better.

[mdmc]

16. keep up the good work